United News of Bangladesh

Ahead of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) elections scheduled for September 9, the Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has called for the temporary deactivation of all Facebook pages and groups related to Dhaka University. Nahiduzzaman Shipon, general secretary of the Dhaka University unit of Chhatra Dal, made the request during a press conference held on Saturday afternoon. “To ensure a level playing field for the upcoming DUCSU election, it is essential to deactivate all Facebook pages and groups linked to Dhaka University,” Shipon said. “These platforms are being used to harass political figures, spread misinformation, and target opponents with cyberbullying.” He further alleged that members of Chhatra Dal, the BNP's student front, are facing coordinated online attacks, including malicious tagging and posts aimed at creating political discord. Earlier, Chhatra Dal leaders met with Chief Returning Officer Professor Mohammad Jasim Uddin to raise concerns about the issue.

BNP leader Mirza Abbas on Saturday said the attack on Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur was deliberate and urged the government to send him abroad without delay for proper treatment.  “I saw the news about the attack when I was abroad. What I learned here shows it was a planned attack. The government should find out who did it, why and their motive,” Abbas told reporters after visiting Nur at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He welcomed the government’s decision to send Nur abroad for better medical care but stressed that it should be done quickly. “Nur is taking strong antibiotics now, but they cannot be used for long,” he said. Mirza Abbas off to Bangkok for eye treatment “Doctors have examined his injuries. He should be taken to a country that can provide the best care,” Abbas added. Expressing the hope for Nur’s recovery, he said, “He has done a lot for the country. He should get the right treatment under proper doctors so he can continue his work.”

Fearing further untoward incidents in the days ahead as part of a plot to derail the national election, BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Saturday said the country is moving towards an abnormal process. “Yesterday on social media, I listened to the remarks of one of the world’s most powerful leaders. It made me feel that our country is not going through a normal process, but moving forward in an abnormal way,” he said. Abbas, a BNP Standing Committee member, made the remarks while talking to reporters after visiting injured Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Nur has been receiving treatment at the DMCH after being seriously injured during a clash with Jatiya Party leaders and workers in the capital’s Kakrail area on August 29. Condemning the attack on Nur and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa) President Khandaker Lutfur Rahman, Abbas said he had heard a few days earlier that some people might come under targeted attacks. He said the government should properly look into these attacks and find out the motives behind the incidents. “Otherwise, we will understand that the government is perhaps failing to maintain its command.” As journalists drew his attention to the attack on a shrine and the burning of a dead body, Abbas said the attacks on political leaders and the shrine are not isolated incidents. “With the election ahead, you will see many more such incidents, as a certain quarter wants to prevent the election from being held,” he said. The BNP leader said the attack on Nur seems not normal but intentional. “The attack on Nur was brutal and clearly deliberate, not a random clash. His condition is serious, as he is still bleeding at times, and I fear internal injuries. A fair investigation must be carried out to find out who was behind it and why,” he said. Abbas said although the government has said Nur will be sent abroad for treatment, it has not happened yet, which is frustrating. Mirza Abbas smells fresh ‘minus-two formula’ to depoliticise Bangladesh He said Nur should be sent urgently, and not just anywhere, but to the country best equipped to treat his injuries. “From my experience, I can say treatment in Western countries, especially Germany, would be most effective.” The BNP leader said the longer this is delayed, the greater the risk to Nur’s health, as heavy medication, including the use of antibiotics for a long time, cannot continue indefinitely. “I urge the government to act quickly, ensure he gets the best possible treatment abroad, and keep him under proper care so that he can recover and return to serve the country.”

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday alleged that a deep conspiracy is currently underway in the country, which he fears, could be linked to an international plot. “I just want to tell the government — I have a strong feeling that a deep conspiracy is going on inside the country,” he said while speaking at a milad mahfil. Rizvi demanded that the interim government carry out an investigation into what he believes could be another wave of conspiracy against the country. “The attacks on shrines and the burning of a dead body could be part of a bigger international conspiracy. We strongly condemn these acts,” the BNP leader said. BNP organised the programme at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, marking Eid-e-Miladunnabi. Rizvi said such incidents as attacking shrines and burning dead bodies had never been heard of, even during the Pakistan era. “We are supposed to have progressed with time. So, why are these things happening all of a sudden now? These are the kinds of things Sheikh Hasina used to do,” he said. Rizvi also criticised what he called false propaganda against BNP.  “Whenever BNP is in power, we are accused of being pro-Pakistan and of giving shelter to Islamist militants. These are false accusations that have never been proven,” he said. In an indirect reference to Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, he said the party is trying to portray BNP as a pro-India party to gain politically. “You call us pro-India, but after 5 August, it was you who claimed a special relationship with India. During the 1971 war, when the nation was fighting for its freedom, it was you who supported the Pakistani military,” the BNP leader said. Pointing at deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Rizvi said she had once promised to run the country according to the Charter of Medina. “But what did we see? One minister owns 140 houses in London, while 60 kathas of land in Purbachal have been allocated in her children’s names. There were also plans to build 30 bungalows on 72 bighas of public land near Chattogram airport — while poor people die without treatment. During COVID, many died due to a lack of oxygen,” he said. Rizvi claimed that BNP is a patriotic party whose Chairperson Khaleda Zia remained in the country and suffered in jail in false cases.  “We are not a foreign-backed party. We are a pro-Bangladesh party. We are the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)," he said. Referring to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Rizvi said, “Despite the extreme heat today, we are gathered to honour the great man who spread Allah’s message across the world. If we truly followed even a part of his teachings, our society would be free from injustice, violence, and bloodshed.”   He regretted that while Muslims claim to follow the Prophet, “in reality, they neither follow nor try to emulate him, and that is the greatest failure of the Muslim world.” Don’t want to return to Hasina’s 'barbaric era': Rizvi Rizvi said the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) united a deeply divided Arab society and offered a solution that pleased everyone. “Today we talk about the Charter of Medina, but in reality, we follow none of it.” On this day of celebration and prayer,” Rizvi said, “let us take inspiration from the life of the Prophet who brought the message of Allah. If we follow his example, corruption, greed, and hatred will disappear from society. We can live honestly and peace will return.”

Pakistan’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday morning. The meeting was held around 10:30am at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. BNP Standing Committee members Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan and Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, along with Organising Secretary Shama Obaed, were also present at the meeting. Although no formal statement was issued by either side, BNP sources said it was a courtesy meeting and matters of mutual interest between the two countries were discussed. A career diplomat, Imran Haider presented his credentials to President Mohammed Shahabuddin on August 17. Before being appointed to Bangladesh, Imran Haider served as Pakistan’s Ambassador to Myanmar. He had earlier served as Ambassador to Tajikistan.  

Two young men sustained bullet injuries during an attack and arson at the Jatiya Party office in Bijoynagar in the capital on Friday night. The injured,  Rahul (22) and Monir (25), were rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 8:45 pm.  Rahul was admitted to Ward 102, while Monir was discharged after primary treatment. Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of the hospital police camp, said witnesses reported that leaders and activists of Gono Adhikar Parishad went to vandalise the Jatiya Party office.  JP's Kakrail office attacked again, set on fire A clash then ensued between them and the police, during which Rahul was shot in his right hand and Monir in his left.  

Senior BNP Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said on Friday that BNP remains the most popular party in the country because of the positive politics of Shaheed Zia. Speaking at a discussion session in Bogura town on the party’s 47th founding anniversary, Rizvi said Shaheed Zia transformed a famine-hit country into a self-reliant nation with his honesty and skills. “He laid the foundation for the country. His 19-point positive politics still make BNP the most popular party today,” he said. Rizvi added that BNP announced a 31-point programme to build a happy and prosperous Bangladesh.andIf BNP comes to power, they could work to implement this programme. He also urged party leaders and activists to ensure victory for the Chhatra Dal nominated panel in the upcoming DUCSU elections criticising opponents for spreading misinformation against Chhatra Dal and left-leaning student groups, and for cyberbullying and threatening female students. He also criticized the Dhaka University VC, questioning how such actions could gain support from general students. He called on students to vote for Chhatra Dal candidates in the RUCSU, JUCSU, and CUCSU elections, as well. The discussion session was organized by Bogura district BNP at the Shaheed Titu auditorium where district BNP President Rezaul Karim Badsha presided over the event. Don’t want to return to Hasina’s 'barbaric era': Rizvi Special guests included Advisor to the BNP Chairperson Advocate A.K.M Mahbubar Rahman and Helaluzzaman Talukdar Lalu, Acting General Secretary of district BNP Mosharraf Hossain, former MP Kazi Rafiqul Islam, Zainal Abedin Chan, Ali Azgar Hena, Mahmudur Rahman Sumon, Mahbubul Islam Shopoth, Dr. Lohani, Dr. Zahidul Islam, Dr. Abdul Awal, Shahid Un Nabi Salam, K.M. Khairul Bashar, Zahidul Islam Helal and many other prominent leaders of BNP. Earlier, Rizvi released fingerlings in the Karatoa River at SP Bridge area in a programme organized by the district Matsyajibi Dal.

Once again, the central office of Jatiya Party in the capital’s Kakrail came under attack, vandalism, and arson on Friday evening. Eyewitnesses said around 7:15pm, agitated protesters stormed the JP central party office and set fire inside the building. The incident was taken place after a rally held in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh, where leaders of Gono Odhikar Parishad, protesting the attack on its president Nurul Haque Nur, reiterated their three-point demand including the resignation of the home affairs adviser.  After the rally, participants went back Gono Odhikar Paltan office and soon after, the attack on the Jatiya Party office took place. To bring the situation under control, police used water cannons and sound grenades before dispersing the mob and attempting to extinguish the blaze. According to the Fire Service control room, they received an emergency call around 7:30pm through the national helpline 999 reporting the fire at the Jatiya Party office. Firefighters later rushed to the spot and doused the flames. Jatiya Party Presidium Member Rezaul Karim, without naming anyone, told reporters that those who held the rally at Shahbagh were responsible for the attack. Jatiya Party office vandalised, set on fire in Kakrail He also alleged that the government had failed in its duty to ensure security and prevent mob attacks. “Jatiya Party was here in Bangladesh, and it will remain in the future,” he added. Earlier on August 30, the same office had also come under attack and arson.

Dhaka, Sept 5 (UNB) — DB Police arrested former Awami League lawmaker Saddam Hossain Pavel along with seven other leaders and activists of AL-affiliated bodies in Dhaka for allegedly planning and financing acts of sabotage, including surprise street processions. The arrestees were: 1.       Saddam Hossain Pavel, 50, former MP of Nilphamari-3; 2.       Md Tanzil Hossain Abhi, 29, organising secretary of Bauphal Upazila Chhatra League, Patuakhali; 3.       Md Anisur Rahman Hawlader, 43, general secretary of Surjomoni Union Jubo League, Bauphal; 4.       A.K.M Khorshed Alam, 65, founder president of Bauphal Upazila Chhatra League and now central general secretary of Bangabandhu Kalyan Parishad; 5.       Md Delwar Hossain Babul, 61, organiser of Ward-32 Awami League, Bangshal thana; 6.       Al Mamun Bhuiyan, 29, organising secretary of Ward-1 Jubo League, Uttara East; 7.       Md Kaykobad Osmani , 53, executive member of central Awami Jubo League; 8.       Md Anwar Hossain, 60, former president of Khitipara Union Awami League and former UP chairman, Louhajang, Munshiganj. According to DB sources, Pavel was arrested around 10:50 pm on Thursday (Sept 4) in Mohammadpur by a team of the DB-Cyber Division. On the same evening, Abhi and Anisur Rahman were picked up separately around 6 pm in Manikdia under Sabujbagh thana. Later that night, Khorshed Alam was arrested from Panthapath around 9:15 pm. Delwar Hossain Babul was caught in Nayabazar under Kotwali thana around 6:20 pm, while Al Mamun Bhuiyan was arrested near the Police Club in Kotwali around 3:00 pm. Awami League will definitely try to obstruct election: Home Adviser Around 11:50 pm, DB teams arrested Kaykobad Osmani from Malibagh Chowdhurypara under Rampura thana and Anwar Hossain from Kakrail under Ramna thana. DC Media of DMP Talebur Rahman said that specific cases were pending against all of them in different police stations and they were allegedly trying to destabilize the country by creating panic through sudden processions and planned acts of violence in different parts of Dhaka. “Legal action is underway against the arrestees”, he added.    

Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP) organised a solidarity rally in Shahbagh on Friday, protesting the attack that injured its President Nurul Haque Nur and other activists. The rally centered around a three-point demand: first, the immediate punishment of all those responsible for the brutal attack. Second, the banning of the Awami League’s allies—namely the Jatiya Party and the 14‑Party Alliance—along with cancellation of their registrations and bringing them to justice. Third, the resignation of the home affairs adviser. Leaders and supporters from various political parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and other allied groups, participated in the rally.